Category Archives: Events

Ho, ho, hold on tight! This Christmas season, come down to FlyOver Canada to fly with Santa and his elves on a magical flight across Canada and on to the North Pole. After meeting some of Santa’s elves, Chestnut and Pinecone, you’ll join them as they take flight across Canada looking for their fellow elves. You may even get a sneak peek of Santa’s Workshop as you soar over the North Pole.

Please note, this combo is exclusively sold online and is not offered in different price points. The combo passes will be sold until December 24th or while quantities last. The Vancouver Christmas Market passes are redeemable until December 24, 2017.

Largest Festivities to date at Expansive Seaside Site with More Than 55,000 Square Feet of German Jubilation

Vancouver, BC – The city’s signature yuletide celebration returns to its expansive seaside home, November 22–December 24, 2017 at Jack Poole Plaza (at the Olympic Cauldron) offering its largest, festivities to date. The treasured holiday tradition will feature more than 75 huts stuffed with sweets, treats and treasures, coupled with a multitude of festive family activities and live entertainment. Attracting a record number of more than 215,000 visitors last season, the Vancouver Christmas Market is one of the city’s cherished holiday experiences.

“We are delighted to return to Jack Poole Plaza again this season, warmly welcoming new and returning visitors to partake in our wide array of Christmas festivities, while discovering a number of exciting new activities and expanded highlights,” said Malte Kluetz, Founder and President of the Vancouver Christmas Market. “Whether shopping the market for that special, one-of-kind gift or indulging in the mouth-watering array of German delicacies, we look forward to seeing new and familiar faces during the most wonderful time of the year!”

Among this year’s expanded highlights will be Canada’s first-ever Walk-In Christmas Tree: a 30ft tall tree covered with 36,000 twinkling lights that guests can enter to experience a spectacular – and Instagram-worthy light display. The Christmas Pyramid also returns, but this year it will be taller than ever with the addition of a brand new‘Flying Stage’ perched 10ft high above the market. The Flying Stage will host a lively line-up of daily festive entertainment. The entertainment line-up is stacked with a wide range of musical talent performing a steady stream of seasonal favourites that span every genre – from jazz, blues, folk, pop, classical, and gospel.

Visitors will undoubtedly treat themselves to the market’s signature array of mouth-watering delectables, including Glühwein (a hot-spiced mulled wine), Bratwurst, Gulasch, Spätzle, Schnitzel, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), Strudels, and so much more. A variety of new local vendors will be offering the best food and drink BC has to offer including fresh sustainable seafood from Eat F.I.S.H., made-from-scratch Sicilian cannoli by the Cannoli King, award-winning German style wine from Wild Goose Winery, and organic beer made from local ingredients by Persephone Brewing Co.

In addition to Deutschland delicacies, rousing entertainment, and returning favourites – such as downtown Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel and the warming Alpine Haus tent – visitors can wander throughout the market’s quaint pathways of huts, discovering lovingly crafted gifts and treasures that cry out to be slipped into stockings and placed under Christmas trees.

The Vancouver Christmas Market and Children’s Wish Foundation have partnered for the 2017 season in order to raise funds to grant the most heartfelt wishes of BC children diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. During the market’s ‘Children’s Wish Week’, from December 16 to 24, Children’s Wish will be collecting donations and selling ‘wish wands’ at booths throughout the market. Their mascot ‘Roary’ the lion and representatives from Children’s Wish will be onsite December 16 and 17 to help bring the magic of a wish to the Vancouver Christmas Market. Those who generously make a donation at the ticket booths will receive a complimentary Season Pass to the Vancouver Christmas Market.

Since 2010, the Vancouver Christmas Market has delighted Vancouverites and visitors to the city with authentic German-inspired festivities. Combining colourful décor, authentic gifts, savoury food & drink, and family entertainment, the yuletide celebration creates the perfect atmosphere to mix & mingle with friends & family, take in a quick drink after work, and observe a wide variety of cultural activities, old world confections, and seasonal entertainment.

LISTING INFORMATION

8th Annual Vancouver Christmas Market

Dates:

November 22 to December 24, 2017: 11am – 9pmDecember 24: Closed at 6pm

Santa’s elves are already hard at work transforming Stanley Park into a captivating and dazzling lighting display complete with music, sweet snacks, entertainment and, of course, Santa Claus himself. “It’s sure to delight kids, both young and old,” chuckles Ray Boucher, Burn Fund Vice-President and Co-Chair of the Bright Nights Committee. When asked how he and his team were able to manage the sheer volume of light display enthusiasts, Ray replied, “We want to make certain that everyone is able to enjoy this magical event, and since we’ve seen such an overwhelming show of visitors in past years, we’re excited to be extending the event this year by staying open until January 6th, this way we hope that everyone will get the chance to come down to the park, with their family and friends and help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bright Nights!.”

“This anniversary event celebrates the partnership between the Park Board and the Burn Fund who have worked together for 20 years to create the Bright Nights experience. We could not put on this event without the support of all our community
partners, who help bring the park to life for all to enjoy”, said Vancouver Park Board Chair, Michael Wiebe. Over 250,000 visitors attend the event annually and that number is growing. “We are exceptionally pleased with the support from the public
and our Sponsors. Over 800 fire fighters contribute more than 8,000 hours over the 3 month period of Set-Up, Operations and Tear Down. It’s a monumental undertaking of combined efforts to make this event so successful,” says Ray Boucher. “The funds
raised will make a huge difference to burn survivors and their families throughout our province.”

The monies raised through donations in the front gate bins go directly to the Burn Fund, which provides life-saving, life supporting and life enriching services to people across BC. More than 4,000 professional fire fighters around the province dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors. They increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn safety through Burn Awareness, Research and Prevention programs.

Broomelda the witch has once again worked her magic to transform FlyOver Canada this Halloween. Aspiring witches and wizards are welcomed into the Haunted Witches Academy before taking off on a spellbinding journey across Canada.

The complete Halloween at FlyOver Canada experience will last between 20 – 25 minutes and include:

Each year the Stanley Park Ghost Train takes our riders on a journey through a mystical and magical world, inspired by Hallowe’en and other spooky tales. This family event is open to all ages and offers a fright free glimpse of the whimsical world of ghosts and ghouls.

2017 Ghost Train: Alien Invasion

Be prepared to be abducted to an unearthly, fantastical, and strange world. Journey into the restricted zones and witness the landing.

Note Weather notice: The train runs rain or shine. In the case of an extreme weather event, the train may close to protect the safety of our guests and staff. Check our opening hours by phoning our information line at 604-257-8531. Tickets will be refunded only if there is an official closure.

Popular dates sell out in advance – buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Service fees and charges apply to advance ticket sales. Get more information on tickets.FREE PARKING!

The Ghost Train has on-site and overflow parking lots. All parking is free.

Overflow lots include the Info Booth, North Pipeline Road, and Beaver Lake lots.

{{The Giveaway!!}}

The Ghost Train at Stanley Park has generously provided Raincity Parent, two (2) double passes (that’s 4 people) to give away to one lucky reader! Tickets must be used between October 13th-19th!! Please enter via the Rafflecopter link below. Must be 19+ to enter and live in the Greater Vancouver area, Fraser Valley or Sea to Sky Corridor.

The iconic Pacific National Exhibition has been a beloved summer tradition with B.C. families for over 100 years. In the spirit of inclusivity and to honour Canada’s 150th birthday, the PNE is proud to offer many discounted passes and special deals so that families of any size and budget can join in the festivities. These opportunities are in addition to the advantages of pre-booking passes online – yet another way to stretch your summer entertainment dollars to the maximum.

The 12 best ways to save on admissions or Playland passes at the 2017 Fair.

Promotion is valid for current and retired police, RCMP, ambulance workers and firefighters plus one guest. First Responder must present a valid First Responders service card at the gates. Guest does not require a service card.

FREE Gate Admission for all guests 11am- 1pm, Tuesdays, August 22 and 29

Re-entrance hand stamps will only be given after 1pm. Guests are welcome to re-enter the gates prior to 1pm without hand stamp.

Wild Ride Wednesdays 11am – 1pm, Wednesdays, August 23 and 30

Purchase two Playland passes for the price of 1. Only available onsite day of promotion. Does not apply to ride coupons or complimentary passes.

Seniors’ Day 11am – Late, Thursday, August 24

Seniors 65+ receive FREE gate admission.

Vancity Member Special 11am – Late

NEW extended special – offer valid every day of The Fair. Vancity members receive $5 gate admission.

BCAA “Membership is Rewarding” rate

BCAA members can visit bcaa.com for special discounts on gate and ride passes for the Fair.

Special Offers:

Pinwheel Deals

A Fair-wide coupon book offering over $350 in savings. $2 at any Guest Services location, or purchase any Fair Pass online by July 31st and receive a voucher for a free Pinwheel Deals Coupon Book with every order.

Save up to $9 when visitors purchase their Fair gate or Playland passes online or at certain Lower Mainland retailers. Retail passes will be available in August. For information, visit http://www.pne.ca

Contests and promotions

All 2017 Fair contests and promotions will be posted at http://www.pne.ca by July 2017. For comparison, the regular admission and pass rates are listed below.

2017 Fair Dates and Times

The 2017 Fair will run from Saturday August 19, until Monday September 4, 2017, and will be closed on Monday August 21 and Monday August 28. Open 11 am until late (weather permitting).

Owned by the City of Vancouver, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a healthy and vibrant non-profit organization dedicated to providing over 3 million visitors a year with first-class cultural, sporting and family entertainment events. Founded in 1910, the PNE operates from a 114-acre site at Hastings Park, a multi-facility venue in Vancouver where the organization operates four activity streams: an annual 15-day Fair, Playland Amusement Park, maintenance and care of the Hastings Park site and management of the site’s year-round facilities. These facilities are utilized to celebrate a variety of hockey, amateur sporting, music, community, social, cultural andcommercial events throughout the year.

As part of 365 Sport Inc.’s ‘give-back’ policy to feed families across Canada, each Foam Fest event partners with the location’s local food bank. Participants who bring a non-perishable food item will receive a custom branded 5k foam fest lanyard and 365 Sport Inc. will also make a financial contribution.
“Foam Fest is an energizing, non-competitive community event that gives locals an opportunity to come out and have fun. This is our fourth season as we keep scoping out new destinations to build partnerships with. We are thrilled to come to Abbotsford and show everyone what Foam Fest is made of. Based on last year’s attendance, we anticipate 70,000 participants nationwide, of which 6,000 will be coming from the Lower Mainland,” says Michael Lambert, Director of Partnerships.

With sport event hosting being such an important mix of attracting visitors to Abbotsford, Tourism Abbotsford is a strong supporter of the event.
Its great working with 365 Sports Inc., as they prepare to bring Foam Fest to Abbotsford. Part of what makes for a vibrant and united community, are large-scale events like this. We know our community will come out and join in on the fun, but we are also excited to host visitors as they explore our backyard,” says Craig Nichols, Executive Director of Tourism Abbotsford.

For pricing, location, and registration, see full details.

ABOUT TOURISM ABBOTSFORD

Tourism Abbotsford represents over 300 marketing partners, leads the delivery of Visitor Services, and has operated the Fraser Valley Tradex & Exhibition Centre (Tradex) since 2003. Tourism Abbotsfords commitment to best practices has resulted in being recognized as a BC Tourism Industry Award recipient in Community Sport Tourism, in addition to earning a BC DMO Professional Excellence Award. To learn more, visit tourismabbotsford.ca and search #exploreabbotsford on social media.